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Annabeth eyed the glass of milk. “That should do it.”
“So?” Renata asked.
“Cody...” Annabeth took her son’s hand. “I’m pregnant.”
Renata jumped up, squealing, as she dropped a kiss on Ryder’s cheek, then Annabeth’s, then hugged Cody.
“What’s that?” Cody asked.
“Your mom’s giving you a brother or sister,” Renata explained.
“Or one of each,” Ryder added.
Annabeth didn’t want to look at him. Not now. She wanted to enjoy this, to feel nothing but love and contentment. Instead, a hole was forming in her heart. And seeing the smile on Ryder’s face was like salt to the world’s worst paper cut. She tore her gaze from his and focused on Cody. This was big news for him and she didn’t want him to be worried or upset.
“Twins?” Renata was squealing again, lifting Cody in her arms and spinning him around. “Two babies, Cody. What do you think of that?”
Cody giggled, wobbling on his feet when Renata sat him down.
“I’d say this deserves some celebrating.” Teddy grabbed the phone. “I’m calling your brothers over for dinner.”
“I’m not sure I made enough.” Annabeth eyed the mountain of spaghetti.
But Teddy was heading out of the kitchen, talking to someone on the phone.
“There’s enough for at least two weeks’ worth of leftover lunches,” Ryder said. He knew how frugal she was. He’d teased her about the stockpile of single-serving meals in her freezer. But she couldn’t stand seeing anything go to waste.
“So, no leftovers,” Renata agreed. “But plenty for the family.” She pulled Annabeth to her feet and stood back to look at her. “Can I?”
Annabeth saw Renata’s hand hovering over her stomach and nodded. “Sure. Nothing to feel yet—”
“Anytime now,” Ryder interrupted.
He’d know. He spent more time reading the baby book than she did. Even though he knew the babies would be moving soon—that they were coming. Was he really planning on leaving?
Renata’s hands pressed against her stomach, the soft fabric of Ryder’s shirt rubbing against her skin. “That’s quite a bump.” It was easy to see Renata was figuring out when things had happened. When she stood up, she looked back and forth between Ryder and Annabeth curiously.
Cody came forward, pulling up her shirt to stare at her stomach. “Hi,” he said. “And hi.”
Annabeth felt the sting of tears in her eyes and ruffled her son’s fine blond hair.
Ryder’s hand was warm against the skin on her back. “I’m sure they’re saying hi right back, Cody.” He knelt beside the boy.
Cody was staring intently at the swell of her stomach. “Does it hurt?”
Annabeth laughed, watching her son. “No.”
“Be sweet to Mom,” Cody spoke softly. “She’s the best. Don’t worry about n-nothing. R-Ryder and I can p-protect you. And Tom will, too.”
Ryder was looking at her, she could tell. She shouldn’t look at him, but she did. She could spend hours lost in those eyes, pretending he loved her the way she craved. It would be easy to reach out and slide her fingers through the short dark blond hair, stroke the side of his face. Her hand itched
to do it. She flexed her fingers, fighting the instinct.
Ryder captured her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. It was impossible to resist touching him then. Her fingers rested along his cheek, absorbing his warmth.
Chapter Sixteen
It took less than fifteen minutes for all the Boones to converge. More chairs were added, making it close quarters. She was almost in Ryder’s lap when everyone was seated, but she tried not to think about it. Instead, she watched the dynamics of the family around her.
